U.S. heads to World Cup with players struggling for game time
Tuesday
Aug 23, 2013 at 12:01 AM
As the United States prepared for its opening World Cup game against Tunisia on Tuesday, a few players were going about their training sessions with a little more urgency, trying to make a difference in the lineup that stands at 4-4-2.
As the United States prepared for its opening World Cup game against Tunisia on Tuesday, a few players were going about their training sessions with a little more urgency, trying to make a difference in the lineup that stands at 4-4-2. Some had played in the group stage matches against Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico. Others, like Brad Guzan, remained a part of the squad, but had to wait as the team was not ready to make any changes yet.
“The players are out there, they’re training, but none of us have gotten the chance to play a game,” Guzan said. “We’re all still out there. We can’t get ahead of ourselves. It’s more about just getting the right training and the right practice and get our strength, get our speed, get our conditioning in here.”
Guzan said he was going through drills to become more versatile with the team.
“We have four center backs and three wingers,” he said. “It’s just to get them in the mix to make it a little bit versatile and get us moving.”
While players were hoping for their chance, one player in particular was going through a difficult time. Michael Bradley was being replaced by Geoff Cameron in the lineup.
“It’s tough right now,” Bradley said. “Because whenever you say you’re going to get in, you actually will get in. You have to be in every game, every time. But until you actually get in the game, then you’ll know if you’re ready or not.
“So you have to continue to be in there and